Automatic exhibitor



Dec. 9, 1930. P. E. M FARLAND AUTOMATIC EXHIBITOR Filed March 2'7. 1929 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 9, 1930.

P. E. M FARLAND 1,784,607

AUTOMATIC EXHIBITOR Filed March 2'7. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 r A A l H l fi f0 38 0 Q 28C 26 a k i 31 g; a

r v I IL 1.9 17 g 11 x x x A A I I A Dec. 9, 1930. P. E. M FARLAND ,7

AUTOMATIC EXHIBITOR Filed March 27. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 9, 1930 T FFICE PATE PAR-LEY E. Iv'ICFARLAND, OF ROGIKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO JESSE L. WORTI'IAM, 7 OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS AUTOMATIC EXHIBITOR Application filed March 27, 1929. Serial No. 350,180.

My invention relates to automatic display mechanism of the character adapted to intermittently display merchandise or printed cards such as'advertising cards and the like similar to those generally used in street car advertising.

While many display mechanisms have been devised they have not become generally popular principally because of the tendency of the nachine to get out of order. In most instances complicated mechanisms have been employed in changing the cards under display which has tended to make their operation uncertain and has required undue mechanical attention. In addition, the construction of many of these devices has been such that it is difficult to change the cards whereby theirusefulness for store window displays has been materially reduced.

Often when, for example, a comprehensive sale is in progress a merchant desires to display all or a portion of the articles of the sale or to enumerate on successive cards the different bargains to be had. This would perhaps require a complete change of the displays. Likewise he may desire to change the exhibits during the progress of the sale to withdraw articles or announcements of articles, for example, exhausted during thesale. It is, there fore, necessary that the exhibits be easily inserted and removed from the machine.

Another highly objectionable feature of many machines oi the prior art is the excessive noisecaused by theoperating mechanism making them objectionable for many purposes. This is especially true in that. class of machines where the display holder is alternately grasped and released by the conveying mechanism. The display holder is usually grasped ata point near the bottom of the circuit and carried upward to a display positlon from which pointit is released and permitted to fall by gravity to the grasping position. The impact of this falling body produces considerable noise. Another serious objection to this type of machine isthe number of distinct delicate operations required to move a display holder through a complete cycle. A small amount of wear at vital points causes the grasping mechanism to become erraticor the display holders to fall out oi alignment whereby the grasping mechanism fails to catch and the'machine clogs.

I have aimed to provide a display mechanism having a minimum of moving parts in which every movement oi the display holders is positively controlled at all times, thereby reducing to a minimum. mechanical difliculties.

Another object of my invention is the provision or a mechanism in which the cards or display material is easily and quickly removed or changed, thus making it available to merchant-sand the like in displaying material or advertising matter of atemporary nature.

I. have also aimed to provide a device in which more than one cardmay be displayed simultaneously at different points in the mech-.

.anism. v i

I have further aimed to provide a display mechanism which while positive in action may be easily and cheaply manufactured and incorporates no intricate or delicate parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism which is practically noise less in operation.

Other objects and attending advantages willbecome evident to those skilled in the art fromithe following description and the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a possible manner of mounting my improved mechanism showing one end of the cabinet and a display window;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the side of the cabinet removed-to show theoperating mechamsm; V Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation oct'the switching mechanism; v

,4 is an enlarged View of the quarter turn intermittent gearing;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the half turn intermittent gears which may be employed if desired;

out door display purposes.

play chains and holders cooperate with the sprocket wheels.

My invention will best be understood by referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 6 in which the complete assembly is shown. I have shown in Fig. 1 the assembly enclosed in a suitable housing, such as might be used for In order to make the same more inviting the cabinet may be made to represent a house, bungalow theatre or the like. As shown the cabinet consists of a top 9-, which may be hinged if desired to permit of ready access to the operating mechanism for removal or replacement of cards side portions 10 a bottom 11 and end bortions 12. The ends are provided with small windows 13 for viewing the displays when one card is to be displayed at either end. here two cards are to be displayed at each end the windows should be enlarged'to include the space 14.

The mechanism includes generally two parallel endless roller chains to which'are attached at right angles a number of display holders. The chains run synchronously over and are held taut by sprocket wheels, two of which are driven through intermittent gears bers 17 and 18 extending lengthwise of the cabinet and attached at each end to angle iron members and 16 which rest against the ends of the cabinet. Body members 19 and 20 are mounted upon the spaced angle irons near the center thereof and serve to support the moving parts thereon. Two shafts 21 and 22 connect thebody members and are rotatably supported therein. Sprocket wheels 23 are fixed to each endof both shafts just inside of the bearing por tions thereof to support and drive display chains 29 in an upper and lower reach, a portion of which is shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9. The chains are driven from the shaft 21 and the sprocket wheels thereon the shaft 22 serving to support the chains and keep them taut. The shafts 21 and 22 are supported at each end in adjustable bearings 24 which are positioned by means of set screws 25 in upstanding bracket portions 26 of the body members 19 and'20. This adjustable manner ofmounting the shafts permits the tension on the displaychains to be varied at will to'take up looseness which may develop due to wear in the sprockets and chains or to facilitate the removal of the chains.

Display cards 27 are supported in light,

preferably metal frames 28 which are shown completely surrounding the cards and forming frames therefor. The invention also contemplates other types of holders adapted to be supported in this manner the exact form thereof depending upon a number of obvious factors among which is the particular material to be displayed. Suitable means are provided for inserting the cards orother displays in and out of the frames and for holding them therein. While the frames may be attached to the chains by any suitable means which will retain them in a vertical position thereto, I have found it convenient to provide the frames with downwardly projecting portions 30 which form the outer plates connecting the links 31 of the chain. A frame is mounted between each link of the chains so that in the'illustration shown when the chain is held taut the frames will stand closely parallel and at the type shown in Fig. 9 having eight teeth each acting between two rollers of the chains to advance the latter whereby at each quarter turn the shaft holder 28a is brought to the position holder 28b occupies in the figure and the latter is moved on to the position shown for 280. The frames are thus intermittently moved in succession from the vertical positions to the horizontal positions and on to the opposite vertical positions by intermittent movement of the chains through the shaft 21 and intermittent gears 32 and 33, movement at one shaft being downward and at the other upward. The driven gear 32 is attached to the shaft 21 through bolts 34:

and a flange 35 attached to the shaft. The gear is made adjustable on the shaft to a limited extent by providing slotted bolt holes 36 therein. This adjustment makes assembling easier and permits of fine adjustment of the position of the horizontal frame when such is employed. The gear 32 is also provided with dwell points 37 at four equidistant points on the periphery thereof. Gear teeth 38 are placed between the dwells to cooperate with a toothed section 39 of the driving gear 33. The periphery of the latter gear is smooth with the exception of the toothed portion 39 which is of proper length to cooperate with the teeth between two adacent dwell points of gear 32. It will thus be evident that through every rotation of gear 33, gear 32 will be rotated through one quarter turn and be held stationary during the time required for gear 33 to complete its turn, when the teeth 35 and 36 will again cooperate in giving gear 32 another quarter turn. During this cycle the display card frames at each end will first be moved from a vertical to a horizontal or a horizontal to a vertical position by the quarter turn of the gear 32 and then will be held stationary during the dwell period. Thus, during the turn of the gear 33 at one end of the row of display holders a holder 280 will be brought from the horizontal position to the upward vertical position where one side of the display card will be visible from the window 13, frame 28d moving up to the horizontal position occupied by holder 28c. Simultaneously, at the other end of the row of display holders a frame 28a will be moved froman upward vertical position to a horizontal position and holder 286 will be moved to a downward vertical position thus making the card in the next succeeding frame visible from the window 13 at the other end of the cabinet.

An intermittent gear construction is shown in Fig. 5 having only-two dwell points 40 the operation of which will causethe dis play frames to move directly between a downwardly vertical position to an upwardly Vertical position and by removing alternate frames from the display chain the horizontal position may be completely eliminated. It will, of course, be understood that numerous such changes may be made in arrangement and ratios of parts to produce desired movement of the display frames.

A pin 41 seated in the'body member 19 serves to rotatably support the driving gear 33 and a sprocket wheel 42 which is supported thereon and is attachedto the gear by means of a shear pin 43. The shear pin is made of soft metal or other material which will be broken by the force of the motor should something happen to stop the operating mechanism or develop undue resistance therein. A driving chain 44 connects the sprocket wheel to a speed, reducing gear 45 through a small sprocket wheel 46 thereon. The reducing gear is operated by a small electric motor 47 which may be equipped with a cooling fan 48 if necessary. The motor and reducing gear may be enclosed in a small cabinet or covering 49 to prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt thereon or protect them from the elements. i

The displays are lighted by lamps having reflectors 50 placed to direct'the light upon the displays with as little diffusion as possible throughout the rest of the cabinet. Electrical conductors 51 entering the cabinet at 52 conduct the power to the lamps and motor as well as to the switchingmeans. The lights are switched on and off intermittently, being off when the display'frames it to make contact between the points 57 and 58. Since binding posts 55 and 56 are attached to the lighting circuit current is intermittently fed to the lamps at the desired times. Display cards, merchandise, or any other suitable material may be placed in the distative movement of the block 53'caused by the shaft 22, brings the corners of the block 53 in contact with the spring 59 depressing play frames in an easy and conveninent manner since the frames are readily accessible and need not be removed to change exhibits.

Difierent exhibits may be placed upon opposite sides of each frame, one side thereof being displayed at one window and one side at another.

instructions to motorists or used as stop and The machines may be placed along the highways with road or caution 1 1 go signs carrying advertising matter or 7 traffic instructions and the like.

The simplicity in construction of my improved machine will especially appeal to those skilled in the art. The display cards are under positive control at all times, there are few moving parts having relatively simple movements. The machine is highly economical to operate, requires no skilled ,1,:

attention and is adapted to be made in units of practically any size.

It will be seen that practically the whole machine is idle a great share of the time.

There is no movement of the holders during the display period. This makes for economy in power, long wearing life for the parts and highly increased dependability in operation.

While I have set forth and shown a particular embodiment of my invention it will be understood that numerous changes may be made therein without materially departing from the spirit of the invention and I do not wish to limit the claims otherwise than as required by the prior art.

I claim:

1. An automatic. exhibitor comprising a cabinet having windows at each end, means for supporting the operating mechanism therein, a plurality of parallelly spaced 1.;

rigid display holders arranged to be moved between concealed storage positions and display positions before said windows, endless chains adapted to fixedly support said display'holders in both the storage and display i j as v reach, a plurality of parallelly spaced display holders fixedly attached tosaid chains arranged to assume either storage positions intermediate the ends of the upper or lower reach or display positions at the ends thereof, and automatic means for intermittently driving said chains to move successive holders into display positions and hold them motionless thereat for a predetermined period of time. V

3. An automatic exhibitor comprising enclless chains trained over sprocket Wheels each arrangedito provide anupper and a lower reach, a plurality of parallelly spaceddisplay holders fixedly attached between the linksof said chains to provide anupper and lower series of'holders attached tov the upper and lower reaches of said chains the holders being placed in such proximity that the end members of each series are vertically poistioned, and automatic. means for intermittently moving said chains whereby an end holder of one series is moved from a downwardly vertical position to an upwardly vertical position and an end holder of the other series is simultaneously moved from an upwardly vertical position to a downwardly vertical position. a 7

4. 'An automatic exhibitor comprising endless chains trained over sprocket wheels each arranged to provide an upper and a lower reach, a plurality of parallelly spaced display holders fixedly attached between the links of said chains to provide an upper and lower series of holders attached to the upper and lower reaches thereof the holders being placed in such proximity as to provide'vertically positioned holders at the ends of each reach and horizontal holders interi'nediate the reaches, and automatic means for intermittently moving the chains whereby at the ends of the reaches vertical end holders are intermi tently moved from one reach, through intermediate horizontal positions, to vertical poistions at the end of the opposite reach.

5. An automatic exhibitor comprisingzendless chains trained over sprocket wheels each arranged to provide an upper and a lower reach, a plurality of parallely spaced display holders fixedly attached to said chains to provide an upper and lower series of holders attached to the upper and lower reaches thereof the holders being placed in such proximity as to provide vertically positioned holders at the ends of each reach and horizontalholders' intermediate the reaches, in-

bers supporting said shafts, sprocket wheels attached to said shafts near each end thereof between said spaced side members, endless chains trained over said sprocket wheels providing upper and lower reaches, display' frames adapted tOdllOVC into and out of display position each attached at one corner to a outer side alate of each chain and arranged to be held at substantially right angles thereto, means for intermittently moving the chains and bringing the frame at one end of each reach moving from a vertical to a horizontal position, means for lighting the display frames at each end of the upper reach, means for switching said lighting means oif when the frames are moving into and out of position and on when the frames have reached the display position, and means for driving said chains.

7. An automatic exhibitor comprising a plurality of endless chains, a plurality of sprocket wheels over which said chains are trained to provide upper and lower reaches thereof, at least two of said sprocket wheels being arranged to support each chain, display holders rigidly attached to said chains adapted to be successively moved between a vertical and a horizontal position with move ment of the chain, to bring the contents of successive holders to a position to be viewed, and means for moving at least one of the sprocket wheels supporting each chain, whereby the tension on each chain will be regulated to hold said display holders at substantially right angles with respect thereto. 8. An automatic exhibitor comprising a frame, a pair of substantially parallel shafts, adjustable means for supporting said shaft-s near each end thereof upon said frame, a pair of sprocket wheels positioned upon each shaft near the ends thereof, endless chains trained over said sprocket wheels arranged to provide upper and lower reaches, display holders adapted to hold material to be dis played rigidly, attached to said chains, adapted to be successively moved between a vertical and a horizontal position with movement of the chain to bring the contents of successive holders to a position to be viewed, said adjustable supporting means permitting the tension on said chains to be regulated to hold the display holders in' proper alignment. I i 9. An automatic exhibitor comprising a frame, a pair of substantially parallel shafts,

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adjustable meansfor supporting said shafts near each end thereof upon said frame, a pair of sprocket Wheels positioned upon each shalt near the ends th reof, endless chains trained over .raid sprocket Wheels arranged to provide upper and lower reaches, display holders adapted to hold material to be displayed rigidly attached to said chains, adapted to be successively moved between a vertical and horizontal position With movement of the chain, to bring the contents of successive holders to a position to be viewed, said adjustable supporting means permitting the tension on said chains to be regulated to hold the display holders in proper alignn'ient, intermittent means adapted to alternately drive one of said shafts and hold it stationary for a predetermined period of time, and means for adjusting said gears to regulate the radial position at Which said shaft is held stationary, to cause the end frames of said reaches to be positioned for display.

10. An automatic exhibitor comprising endless chains trained over sprocket Wheels to provide an upper and lower reach, a pair of parallel spaced display holders fixedly attacned to said chains, arranged to assume either storage positions intermediate the ends of the upper or lower reach, or display positions at the ends thereof, automatic means for intermittently driving said chains to remove successive holders into display positions and hold them motionless therewith for a predetermined period of time, a cabinet arranged to enclose the mechanism, and Win dows positioned in said cabinet opposite each end of at least one reach to permit simultaneous observation ironr Without the cabinet, of one side 01" a frame at one end of the reach to provide an upper and a lower reach, a pair o'fi parallelly spaced display holders fixedly attached to said chains, arranged to assume either storage positions intermediate the ends of the upper or lower reach or display positions at the ends thereof, automatic meansi'or intermittently driving said chains to re move successive holders into display positions and hold them motionless therewith-tor a predetermined period of time, a cabinet arranged to enclose the mechanisnii, Windows positioned in said cabinet opposite each end of at least one reach to permit simultaneous observation from Without the cabinet, of one side of a frame at one end of the reach and the opposite side oi a frame at the other end of the reach, and means for lighting the exposed side of the frame at each end of the reach.

12. An automatic exhibitor comprising endless chains trained over sprocket Wheels to provide an upper and a lower reach, apair of parallelly spaced display holders fixedly attached to said chains, arranged to assume either storage positions intermediate the ends of the upper or lower reach, or display positions at the ends thereof, automatic means for intermittently driving said chains to move successive holders into display positions and hold them motionless thereat for a predetermined period of time, a cabinet ar ranged to enclose the mechanism, Windows positioned in said cabinet opposite each end of at least one reach to permit simultaneous observation from Without the cabinet, of one side of a frame at one end of the reach and the opposite side of a frame at the other end of the reach, and means positioned between the end holders and each end of said cabinet, out oi View from said Windows, for illuminating the exposed side oi th frame at each end oi? the reach While said holders are being held motionless. i

In Witness of the foregoing Iaffix my signature.

' PARLEY E. MGFARLAND.

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